Posted Oct 17, 2016, Updated Oct 20, 2024 Do you need a way to use all that extra Halloween candy? Do you want a dessert and don’t want to decide between cookies or a Reese’s (or Snickers or Twix)? Then today is your lucky day. You’re going to love these leftover halloween candy cookie bars. In this recipe, two layers of gooey chocolate chip cookie dough is stuffed with the candy of your choice. If you need an easy to make, knock-your-socks-off dessert in 30 minutes, this recipe is it!
Candy Cookie Bars: Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour. If you need a gluten-free version…simply substitute Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour for the regular flour and choose gluten-free candy. Butter. I use salted butter, but unsalted butter works great too. Chocolate Chips. Both mini and regular chocolate chips work well in this recipe! Candy. Choose your favorite candy. I recommend sticking with chocolatey varieties, but the sky’s the limit. Here are some candy suggestions: Reese’s, Twix, Snickers, Rolos, Hershey Kisses, M&Ms, You favorite chocolate bars!, Reese’s Pieces, Peanut butter Chips, 3 Musketeers, Milky Way, etc.
How to Make Candy Cookie Bars
Let’s discuss how to make candy cookie bars step-by-step!
Make the Dough
To make the dough I simply cut my recipe for The Most Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies in half. Begin by beating the butter and sugars together for 1 minute, then add the vanilla and egg and beat for an additional 1 minute. Then, add the dry ingredients and beat until just combined. Next, stir in the chocolate chips. Then, when the dough is finished, spread a little less than half of the dough in the prepared baking dish.
Fill with Candy
Then comes the clincher. Take your favorite candy from your kids’ trick or treat bags (YES, you can eat as much as you want, you are raising them) and make a layer on top of the cookie dough. I used Reese’s cups this time, but have had delicious success with every flavor of Hershey’s Kisses, Twix, Snickers, 3 Musketeers, etc.
Cover the Candy with Dough
Next, take the rest of the cookie dough and completely cover the candy. If you leave a little crack you can expect to have some gooey chocolatey candy leakage occur. Another important note, be sure to leave about a half of an inch gap between your dough and the edge/side of your pan. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars puff up and fill the pan as they bake.
Make the Candy Cookie Bars Fun for any Holiday
I topped these with some Halloween sprinkles (although I have left them plain)! The great thing about these Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars is you can adapt them for any season. Try using peppermint hugs stuffed inside of a cookie completely covered in Christmas sprinkles for Christmas. Use chocolate hearts and valentine’s sprinkles for Valentine’s day. The possibilities are endless.
Bake the Candy Cookie Bars
Bake the Candy Cookie Bars for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown (see below). They will be a touch doughy (because that’s the only way to eat a cookie), so you have to let them cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Enjoy
Serve these candy cookie bars slightly warm for the best flavor. They will be slightly gooey with crispy edges and little pockets of candy. YUM!
Store
These candy cookie bars keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. I suggest slightly reheating them in the microwave for about 5-10 seconds to restore their fresh-from-the-oven gooeyness before enjoying.
Freeze
To freeze, let the bars cool completely. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap then store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!
